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According to the DigiTimes, Google is working hand in hand with ASUS to make sure the world’s first quad-core tablet, rightly named the Transformer Prime, launches with the brand new Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. It is being reported that Google in the past has “cold-shouldered” PC makers and that some were looking to turn towards Windows 8, but Google is now on board with ASUS and making sure consumers will be happy with their new tablets.

There is one small issue though. If Google and Asus decide to launch the tablet with Ice Cream Sandwich, there is a chance that this could lead to a delay. According to this rumor, that could mean a December launch, which is disappointing, since this is such a killer tablet. But with the addition of Ice Cream Sandwich, that makes it all the more desirable.

Would you rather get the first quad-core tablet early with Honeycomb or have it slightly delayed to get ICS?

Something tells me that if Google’s stepping in and pulling the plug this quick, it’s going to be a rush job to get ICS out. I’d much rather have a stable and rockin’ Honeycomb build and let them get ICS right rather than rush ICS out and have it suck.

I was planning on picking this up tomorrow, so it’s a bummer for sure.

I’m so glad I went with the OG Transformer as my tablet choice, seems like ASUS knows how to treat their customers and get shit done. Other companies should take note of this.

Anonymous

prime? could this be the nexus tablet?

Jvmxtra

Seriously, as a droid fan(you guys that is), why would you consider buying any droid based tablet now? With no apps, what do you do w/ your tablet?

Shouldn’t you buy ipad 2 for now and buy droid based tablet later once apps start to catch up a bit(which eventually I know they will).
IF there is no app, and you must buy droid tablet, does it matter which droid tablet you get?(since you will be browing and some kind of communication(email and etc). Just buy kindle fire.. no?

Just Saying

But there are apps. Lots of them.

Jvmxtra

really? ok.. last time I checked they were saying there is almost nothing.. but maybe they got them more in now

Just Saying

I own a Galaxy Tab 10.1 and I’ve never felt the shortage of apps. There was an app for everything I needed.

Jvmxtra

KOOL~~

Just Saying

There is a huge difference between the device coming with “Ice Cream Sandwich” and “Ice Cream Sandwich ready”. The selling point for android devices at present is “Does it come with the most up to date software?”. The main selling point of Galaxy Nexus is just that and Rezound and RAZR suffer without it. No matter how assuring the immediate ICS update will be, it is less than ICS pre-loaded.

ICEMAN_2781

to me if people quit Bitching and wait till decmeber they can get the tablet with ICS instand of the Honeycomb 3.2 oc on it to me its worth it to wait till december so go Asus AND GOOGLE GO MAKE HAPPEND THERE PLAYAZ

bigrob60

“Would you rather get the first quad-core tablet early with Honeycomb or have it slightly delayed to get ICS?”Is that really a question that needed to be asked.

Anonymous

transformer prime + ICS (+ GED) = buy in 3 … 2 … 1 seconds

Dan

Asus and Google are definitely an awesome combination. I’m reading / typing this on the original Transformer and it has been pleasure. Asus continues to support and relase updates and patches, so if they were to relase the Prime early, you could rest assured that Asus will continue to work on, tweak and release updates including ICS and following; in a more timely manner than most OEMs.

Anonymous

I think it’s a smart idea on both parts to push back release slightly to allow for an enhanced experience with the latest operating system.

As I said before, I won’t be updating to the Prime because I’m content with my TF-101. It would be nice to see an upgrade in the works to ICS for my current tablet though. But I’m confident they’re working on that too. If Asus continues on this path, they’re certain to have continued success with customers. (Lord knows they already have a bit of my money [mobo, 27″ monitor, tablet]).

One this is the first Quad-Core tablet. No else is putting one out until next year Q1-2012. Keep it and make sure that ICS is fully optimize to use all the power on this tablet. Then release it to the masses. Just like many users here, half @ssed products breeds bad press and bad publicity. You want to defeat Apple and their iPad juggernaut? Make the OS and hardware seamless. Once people get their hands on it, they can’t say anything bad.

StormbladeX69

Wait for ICS please.

Anonymous

Xoom anyone? How about we wait until it’s out to market for 90 days and then buy. Anyone else?

Anonymous

I would rather have hardware that was made for the software

Anonymous

its got quadcore and ships with ICS. sounds like a good deal to me.

Djenks24

Keep it until its right, I don’t want quad core hardware with software that is only optimized for dual core or even single core. Stop putting out half ass-ed products just to meet a deadline.

Wouldn’t even consider a tablet without ICS at this point, since Android updates are so elusive. But, I probably won’t consider this tablet based on pricing when it comes out either, so I suppose it doesn’t matter to me either way. The OG Transformer was #1 on my too-expensive tablets I might buy if I was given a bunch of money list though.

Interstellarmind

i think the key ditinction here is WHO is involvedi n the upgrade to ICS for the TPrime.

if it was jsut ASUS working alone to get ICS up on the TPrime, then it’d be an annoying useless wait (why not just OTA that bad bay?)

However, if Google is “personally” overseeing/ hand-holding/ DOING the upgrade, then, yeah, i’m all for it because it’ll mean less bugs on the device.

PSU_DI

Honeycomb, is a decent OS. It works great on my current Transformer. I’d prefer them to launch with HC then update to ICS, if that means the product isn’t delayed. If ICS could be installed and running with out a delay than so be it, but it really is important to get this tablet out on the market ASAP

Anonymous

I can’t wait for the whole world to have Ice Cream Sandwich and see every Android user with a smile 🙂

F apple
DROID FTW!!!!!!!!!

Thrillho

If the wait was just to put ICS on it, I want it NOW… but if Google is going to go in there and make sure ICS is done right, I will happily wait.

Anonymous

I guess I’m missing something, how much will ICS make a difference in the actual user experience on tablets? From what I’ve read it’s pretty much Honeycomb with a new framework added that allows it run on phones. Why would it be critical to get ICS on the Prime before release? ASUS has been fantastic about updates to their current line, they are simple to apply, not requiring any sort of user intervention.

What am I missing? Sometimes it seems our community automatically assumes we have to have the latest release, when at the end of the day they often bring minimal new functionality to the device. Now I could see ASUS making this decision because they don’t want to have to push updates out to everyone, but as a potential customer, I’d much rather get the device now, rather than waiting another month for ICS.

Anonymous

I like it… especially if it means that they are going to turn it into the next flagship device

Anonymous

Still surprised Hasbro hasn’t sued over the name.

DigitalEnforcer

That’s ok to me. I was planning on buying it sometime in december anyways. I’ve been saving up my money for the past 4 months so I could buy this. And if it comes with ICS right at launch, then that’s cool with me 🙂

Trooper

Id rather have ICS.

Question, where can you purchase one of these tablets and how much are they?

Anonymous

Hey at least someone gets to use the Prime name. Where’s the Prime Andy?

Dominick DeVito

What some people don’t realize is that an OTA upgrade is more difficult for an OEM to deal with, then delaying the shipped device with the newer OS.

Also, shipped OSs almost always appear to be more optimized with the device it ships with. Updated OSs can get delays, etc that cause weeks, or months to iron out. The OTA process itself requires programming, testing, etc – which adds time.

I read about this last night And this caused great strife in my household. My girlfriend is convinced we need a tablet. After some research, we decided that the Galaxy tab 10.1 was our choice over an iPad 2. Then I saw the Asus Prime and I told her we must wait a few weeks for it! She agreed because she liked the styling plus the dock. Then I had to break this news last night. And she refused to wait a month. She NEEDS to go to bestbuy today to buy a Galaxy Tab 10.1. Long story short, I had to hide our debit card and ended up sleeping on the couch, thank you google/asus

Anonymous

You should test the Galaxy tab out, it’s really not that great once you try it. The Xoom and Transformer are much smoother. I still think tablets are kind of worthless though next to real portable computers like laptops which are basically the same size. Macbook air is thinner than a Galaxy tab.

I just went out and bought a Zeenbook, so i understand the productivity argument. We just want one because we have a little extra money, dont need one. She really doesn’t like the thickness of the Xoom or Transformer. She really liked the way the Galaxy Tab and iPad 2 felt in hand.

Anonymous

I love Android and have had many Android devices, but I would recommend the iPad 2 over the Galaxy Tab. It runs ten time better than the Galaxy Tab. iOS is kind of limited though, but it has a lot of nice apps and better games than Android. No Flash on iPad2 kind of sucks though.

Well if the Prime lives up to the hype, it will be a better buy at 500 than the iPad. I just really hate itunes and dont want to be tied into it. I know as of right now, in the realm of apps, iOs kills Honeycomb, which is why i hope Ics fixes. I wish Samsung wouldnt of placed dumb Touchwiz over Honeycomb made it laggy :/

Anonymous

my xoom has replaced my laptop on many occasions. i only use my laptop for downloading movies n music and like typing a paper for school (thats only b/c i dont have a blue tooth keyboard) Honeycomb tablets are great for replacing a computer if you dont want to deal with having one all the time. Its not a complete replacement but once you have one, your laptops n desktops start collecting dust for short periods of time

Anonymous

to me the xoom is better than the G-tab. its been updated more and its smoother. the problems it did have arent there now. the Xoom is a better tablet just a little bit heavier but ur arms arent made out of butter so its really not that big of a diff

So long as they can get it out well before the holiday season then put ICS on it. This tab will be a game changer.

Kevin Lovan

Delayed for ICS would be nice! That way, I can get my Galaxy Nexus, sell my TF101 and save up and get the new TF Prime!

Anonymous

If this is half as decent as it is hyped to be, I will be happy to get rid of my Ipad 2 to purchase this. I’m happy to wait a month for ICS.

cojan

Delay not a problem so long as it doesn’t become a bionic delay and make it obsolete by release date

Anthony .

awesome!

Sean

Early with Honeycomb with an upgrade to ICS following close behind.

Anonymous

Thanks Google. It’s good to see your are putting in at least some of an effort to fix the ecosystem. It’s an F’ing mess right now. Only 44% of all Androids on Ginger Bread…please get sht together.

M.Slab

I’m just waiting for the ICS update for the first-gen Transformer

Darat532

Have it shipped with ICS. That way the consumers will have a complete up to date device instead of waiting for an update. I think this is the way that all releases of upper end devices should be handled. Consumers will be happier in the long run for the short delay up front instead of the multi month wait for an update.

You will have to wait a little longer to get a quad core tablet.
You will not have to wait as long to get an ICS tablet.

The ICS update to this tablet would most certainly come at a later date than the delayed release. I.e. If the tablet was released this month without ICS, it probably wouldn’t get the ICS update until after the new delayed release date.

I’m all for it.

Rob Becker

ICS no doubt. +1 to Google for getting involved.

Seizeone

i would rather get it early and then get the ota soon there after! : )

Anonymous

If it’s ready now there’s no point in delaying it when you can just update later. This is very disappointing.

Wouldn’t it have been awesome if the Galaxy Nexus was named the Nexus Prime and both of these “Prime” products were the first products launched with ICS? I think I would have gotten both just to say I had the first of both devices with ICS.

PyroHoltz

This thing NEEDS to ship with ICS. If it doesn’t I fear it’ll get lost in an endless sea of like tablets.

Anonymous

You actually think that the average person knows what honeycomb or ice cream sandwich is? The only thing that matters is the price point if it has any chance to take away from Apple and now Amazon.

what i don’t understand is why tablets are getting the same software as phones. I thought that was the purpose of Honey Comb to distinguish themselves from smart phones. So now the only difference in a phone and a tablet is going to be size of the display. Anyone remember that first Motorola Zoom commercial, when they they mocked the IPAD for being just a bigger phone. I just don’t get it

Anonymous

Because ICS is built in such a way that the experience is different (whether on a phone or on a tablet). The commercial (if i remember right) stated that the iPad was just a scaled up version of the iPhone. In their case, the OS interface was nearly identical depending on the device.

With ICS, that is not the case. Much in the way that the resources for an application differ depending on the type of device it is installed on.

John

This. ICS gives the same framework, but allows for differentiation between implementation of the OS and the apps on a phone vs tablet.

Same OS, different look and functionality.

Jason

The whole purpose of ICS is to combing the 2 OS’s into one and it will be easier on devs to make apps for one OS instead of having to either pick one or the other or try and do both. This will be better.

FortitudineVincimus

I am on this tablet and this is a delay worth it to me as I would love to get this with ICS from the factory. I am pumped to get this tablet.

Dominick DeVito

Note to Motorola and HTC: this is what you should’ve done with the Razr and Rezound.

Anonymous

OEM’s only had access to ICS very very recently. OEM’s make money selling the phones. Delays matter to them, to Google it does not.

Dominick DeVito

Not a big deal eh? When a product gets a shitty review because it doesn’t have the best OS available then yes it is a big deal. (see: Razr review)

It does NOT hurt Google’s bottom line. They do not make phones, it is not their core business. That’s not how they monetize Android. They are trying to get a piece of that, through buying Motorola, but delaying a phone doesn’t hurt them, it hurts the company making it who’s business revolves around a product line and launches. If they delay it, what’s the incentive for the next model….it’s a business. Google’s potential LTV of an Android user is the same whether it’s 2.3 or 4.0

Dominick DeVito

Google must have cared, hence the article above. And yes, it hurts OEMs too because if the product sucks then they won’t sell any (like EVERY Android tablet as of right now), which is probably why Google’s stepping in to get involved.

If Google didn’t care then they wouldn’t have stepped in. So your argument stands on no ground. No it doesn’t HURT their bottom line, but I’m fairly certain they want growth potential to show to their investors. If OEMs don’t sell tablets Google won’t make any more money on Android.

GROWTH is a financial term the boys on Wall Street like to use for stock price, for those not familiar with money.

And they bought Moto for their patents.

Dominick DeVito

Of course the other side of this argument is that Google may just be simply “stepping in” to work with Asus on this tablet so it becomes the first ICS developer friendly tablet – the “Nexus of tablets” if you will…

Anonymous

You’re argument makes zero sense and isn’t countering my point, in fact you just agreed but ok. Google only cares about the long term strategy of the platform.

Your original comment tried to blame HTC and Motorola for not delaying the Razr and Rezound for ICS, which quite frankly is moronic. They didn’t have access to it. The upcoming DROID 4 won’t launch with it either. It happens every go around. It has to be tested and developed before it can pushed out the door. Additionally, as I pointed out, OEM’s simply can’t afford to stop all their products in the pipeline because there’s suddenly a new version out. They SURVIVE on selling phones. Google can afford to delay a product they aren’t making for whatever reason they choose. OEMs cannot. They have their own GROWTH to show. Does HP and Dell suddenly stop selling PCs everytime a new version of Windows is released?? No. of course not. The average person doesn’t even know what version of Android they are running, nor do they care. The RAZR and REZOUND will sell nearly the same whether they launch with 2.3 or 4.0. The half of 1% that care so much around here are statistically insignificant.

Why Google got involved here is still unknown. Maybe Honeycomb isn’t optimized for 4 cores the way ICS is. Maybe Google sees a Marketing advantage in having the first quad core tablet run the shiny new OS. You’re making your own terrible assumption Google got involved cause the tablet “sucked.” which is about as useless as screen door on an airplane.

And no, buying Motorola was a lot about patents but also revenue from other aspects of the ecosystem. Future IMROI. You seem very short sighted.

Android is growing at triple digit % points for the last 2 years. You act like the next single product will impact something negatively. Couldn’t be further from the truth. Android is far bigger than you give credit for. There are far worse Android based phones out there that ‘suck’ with 2 year old hardware and 2.2 at launch that don’t get touched or bothered by Google in the least.

Dominick DeVito

We’ll see how smart HTC and Motorola are for releasing devices with an old OS. Then a month from now when Rezound and Razr fans start posting nasty comments about how long they have to wait for the new OS.

No, I never said the tablet sucked – I said tablet sales SUCK. No one is buying Android tablets.

Anonymous

“”
Then a month from now Rezound and Razr fans start posting nasty comments about how long they have to wait for the new OS.”””

Yes…all 1% of them, while the rest carry on as normal. ha. Of which most of them will root and install CM9, if they don’t get the update by January.

What’s your axe to grind?

Anonymous

actually those who root and put cm9 on it are a much smaller percent than the ones who complain about lack of updates.

angermeans

I think you are wrong. I work for Verizon and 99.9% of the people I talk to have no idea what version of Android their phones run. It is very rare if I talk to people that actually know. The Razr and Rezound (IMHO) will outsell the Gal Nexus 3-5 to 1. The people that follow blogs and have to be on the most up to date version of Android are you and I and the others on this site. It feels like to us that “we all” care, but like Zep said Android is much bigger than you (or even I) give it credit for. Why do you think Verizon is throwing Millions at marketing the Razr and we have hardly heard about the Nexus (from Verizon at least) It’s because all though we all know the Razr and Rezound really is not the smartest buy (what Android phone really is besides a Nexus device) most can care less and this is why so many OEM’s put skins on their devices. To us it seems stupid, but to them thats how they make money by differentiation.

Anonymous

Thunderbolt owner right here and I will never buy another htc after the disaster that was the tb and how htc and verizon did nothing about it for months and even then the update they issued made the phone worse.

Dominick DeVito

My point of posting it was the make everyone understand that shipping a device with an old OS (rather than “delaying” it and ship it with the new OS) will ALWAYS be something a reviewer knocks on the device for.

This hurts OEMs.

Anonymous

Your point is completely illogical and doesn’t hurt OEMs. The VAST majority do NOT care. You know where to get ICS? Where can we download it? Is there anything out there on the market today with it? No? Oh… As of 11/8/11, 2.3.5 is latest version of Android today (for phones). Period. (.6 .7 were only for Nexus S) What tomorrow brings, happens tomorrow. Clearly you don’t understand how a product lifecycle works.

angermeans

I promise you one thing OEM’s are not hurting when selling a phone on Verizon especially one that carries the “Droid” moniker despite what version of software their recent phones run. If your logic was true every company would be bending over backwards to update their phones, but unfortunately we are lucky to see an update 6-8 months later. It is not their number one priority selling phones is and HTC, Motorola, Samsung, and (to a lesser extent) LG are not hurting despite almost every phone released in the past couple years has been launched with an outdated OS and this is why they spend so much time developing Sense, Touchwiz, and Blur. We are a minority believe me. The only place you will see outspoken people upset about a version of Android is on these tech blogs and we are a very small percentage.

1loudls

you do know this is motorola we are talking about here right? the name Bionic ring a bell?

the only thing motorola builds faster than phones is delays and disappointments.

Anonymous

Google is getting more involved with everything. Even on the phone side too (you’ll see….) They are trying to reign in a lot of the mess. It’s about time.

Peter

Please feel free to enlighten us on what you know, I hate waiting…

Anonymous

Pick up a phone from a different OEM and go to the Status or battery information section of settings. Right now it takes a different route for each one. Things like that go away. Look for a more cohesive experience regardless of who’s logo is on the back. Will Motocast still be around on their phones? yes. How will this happen? Who knows, OEMs literally just got ICS, it’s being worked on and just entering planning now…but the strong armed intent is there from El Goog this time. We’ll see who wins.

Anonymous

I don’t really see making the status or battery section the same on all carriers that big of a deal. Get rid of the skins and the fragmentation then you are talking. Otherwise it will still be the same with phones taking forever to get updated.

2cents

You make comments that are common sense but you put in such a tone that it seems you have some insider information. I don’t believe you know anything more than what you gather from other sites because you never release anything that is completely unknown.

Anonymous

If you say so

Hamholla

i love you and your mysterious ways zepfloyd.

angermeans

I for one appreciate all you have to say zep. I scan comments (have done it since first hearing about the next nexus device) until I find your blue/black avatar. Thanks!

Give it now. Press Conf later and update at the end of it… Makes sense to me.

Anonymous

Rather get it with ICS and have them make sure it is the absolute best product they can release. I’m tired of companies rushing to get devices out.

Dominick DeVito

Absolutely agree. It’s nice to see an OEM with some brains

wiz

what is the point of delaying the hardware if they continue working on ICS and update later? Everyone wins if the tablet is released now.

Jason

They don’t want another xoom fiasco. It’s good google is working with them to make something work when it comes out. Updating to ICS before it’s launch will be worth the wait.

Oaihgasghasgh

but wouldn’t there be more pressure to rush it out? I’d rather it have working honeycomb now and then get ICS whenever the thing would be released with ICS anyway, or slightly later if it means it works perfectly.

Anonymous

This is nothing like the Xoom, the Xoom had problems because it launched with a new OS full of bugs. If the Transformer Prime launched now with HC there would be no problems. Work all the bugs out of the ICS update later.

Anonymous

It’s not going to matter one bit. No one outside of the blogs know what a transformer is or why it matters that it hsss 4 cores. It will sell just about as much as other android tablets nothing more nothing less. In the end the iPad will still have the most market share and I don’t see that changing any time soon. Not that I care, I’m still gonna get it.

Anonymous

nobody will really know about the transformer until they see it in stores or until theres a commercial. and of course the ipad has a better market share now but thats now wait until next year your gonna see a big change in the tablet market

wiz

Release the tablet now then push out the update in December.

Mr ilheis

Delay it and give me the new and improved OS.

J Dub

I want it now. I have been waiting for this tablet for a while. They are really missing the holiday time frame with this.

Anonymous

I’d rather get my Xoom with ICS

Knowbody

easily slightly delayed. if it comes out with honeycomb then it will take forever to get ICS

Anonymous

You obviously dont own a Transformer. They push updates as fast as any company making electronic devices on the market today.

Knowbody

but the point of the matter is i would rather have it come out a couple weeks later w/ ICS than have it with GB and waiting on ICS

Anonymous

It wouldn’t release with GB, it would have Honeycomb if it was released before ICS is ready.

Still think it sound WAAAAY too much like the tv show currently airing.

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